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Prince’s bodyguard is the latest to dispute reports that the late musician had been abusing prescription drugs as several media reports have indicated. Chris ‘Romeo’ Gaither, who worked for Prince for the last four years, told WMUR.com that he packed his bag every day and would have known if he had problems.

“I packed this man’s bag on the daily. I have been on tour with him for months. So if anybody had an addiction that would be something you would see. That would be something that you would know,” he said.

Gaither says that the star never showed any signs of addiction and that he was “frustrated” by stories after his death where that was attributed to what may have caused his death. Gaither, who was home in Texas when it happened, had been sent home as Prince rested up after being treated for what was then said to be flu symptoms after he was taken off a plane unconscious after a show the week before he died. Gaither says Prince was fit and healthy most of the time he worked with him.

“He may have had an issue where he had to go to the doctor and they prescribed something for him, but as far as him abusing stuff, that’s not him. When it comes to health, he’s the fittest person,” Gaither said. “Only time doctors would come in, they would give him a B-12 shot, something like that, when he might have been feeling sick or low on energy. But other than that, he wasn’t taking stuff. He had more energy than everybody just off his natural presence.”

On Sunday in a Minneapolis suburb, a Prince memorial was held, but as we reported earlier, the musician’s remains, nor his sister or other relatives were present.

The private event was held at 5pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Minnetonka, where Prince, the pop star who died last month, knew many in the congregation, according to theWrap.

KSTP-TV reports that between 300 and 500 people and about 30 high-profile guests attended. A church elder says the service included singing and scripture reading. Prince was a practicing Jehovah’s Witness and was a member of a congregation in St. Louis Park.

 

A reporter for the local Fox TV station identified one of the mourners as the comic Sinbad. Others at the memorial included Sheila E., and Prince collaborator Andy Allo. A program tweeted online outlined a service that included prayers and songs as well as an interview with bassist Larry Graham, a Prince mentor.

But Prince’s sister, Tyka Nelson, who has been managing many of the affairs of his estate, said the family was not behind this service and she would not attend, nor would the singer’s remains be there. However, she wrote on social media that she supported “any and all” memorials and funerals. The family has indicated it will hold its own memorial for the late singer, possibly in August. Nelson also shared that a funeral for Prince was planned for Saturday, April 23rd but it had to be cancelled, though she didn’t say why.

US Magazine reports: 

“Hi Y’all, U know I only come on here when I have sumthin’ ta say,” she began the post. “So Let me make myself VERY CLEAR! I nor my brother’s remains will be present at any Memorial or Funeral services, until the families Memorial/Funeral Tribute.”

“Please Don’t misunderstand,” she continued. “The grief process is a unique experience to each individual and Therefore I support any and all Memorials or Funerals that have happened and/or are being planned … However I will Not be in attendance, because I feel that once … is enough.”

You can read Tyka’s full post HERE. 

Prince died April 21 at Paisley Park recording studio in Chanhassen. An autopsy was conducted April 22 and the results have not been revealed. Carver County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.

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Remembering Prince Through the Years
15 photos